Texans report: Hopkins may get green light to play Thursday

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The preseason hope and excitement surrounding rookie wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins being paired with veteran wideout Andre Johnson this year will be replaced by the reality of weekly evaluation once the Texans’ regular season starts Sept. 9 at San Diego.

But Hopkins could play one more game in soft-launch mode during the Texans’ preseason finale against Dallas on Thursday in Arlington.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Tuesday that Hopkins may be active against the Cowboys and has reached stage four of five in the NFL’s concussion protocol.

“I think there’s a good chance (he’ll play),” said Kubiak. “I’d like him to play a little bit. That will be up to the doctors.”

Hopkins, the Texans’ top draft pick, spent Tuesday working with trainers and may practice Wednesday. If all goes well, he will undergo another test run in Arlington and then make his official NFL debut against the Chargers.

Hopkins has six receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown in preseason action. He didn’t play Sunday during a 31-23 home loss to New Orleans and exited an Aug. 17 home victory against Miami before the first half after receiving a head injury.

Posey to return against Cowboys

The Texans should have at least one extra wide receiver against Dallas.

DeVier Posey is scheduled to play Thursday. It would mark his first game action since Posey tore his left Achilles tendon Jan. 13 during an AFC divisional-round playoff loss at New England.

Posey practiced Tuesday and is set to make a “brief appearance” against the Cowboys.

“He needs to just get out there and get his feet wet, so he’ll probably play about 12 plays,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “He’ll get hit, get tackled and all that confidence he’s been working on — just make sure he’s ready to go. But he’s good.”

Reed to have final say-so

Ed Reed’s veteran presence continues to make an impact, despite the 12-year safety having yet to play a game for the Texans.

Gary Kubiak said Reed likely will make the final decision as to whether he plays against the Chargers in Week 1.

“It’s really Ed’s call because he’s been through this process before,” Kubiak said. “Ed’s played a lot of football. Ed doesn’t need to go out there and play cover-3 because he’s been doing it for many years — that’s not a problem. It gets down to him still having confidence in what he’s doing and … obviously we’re in this for the long haul, so we want to do the smart thing.”

Reed attended the Texans’ annual team luncheon Tuesday after visiting Monday with his surgeon in Vail, Colo. It will take three to five days for the injections Reed received to take effect.

The Texans plan to make a decision about Reed’s status following the Cowboys game. If he’s not available against the Chargers, third-year safety Shiloh Keo is expected to start in Reed’s place.

“Everything he’s told us has held up,” Kubiak said. “So we feel like he’s in a good place right now and we’ll see exactly where we’re at at the end of the week.”